Draft Prospects

**Iscull** · 04-04-2012, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by JAB1985

Any guy coming off injury sounds like a guy the Ravens would be interested in because his value will be higher than his draft position. Coming off injury though he might go undrafted all together and not worth drafting. Either an Ellerbe or Art Jones scenario. Jones was thought of as a 2-3rd rounder and fell to the 5th. ellerbe was a 5th or so that fell off completely. I dont think Hardin in particular is projected very high, so he may be in the latter scenario.

Completely agree. It is a luxury that we usually don't need a guy to come in and immediately start, which allows them to take guys who may need a "redshirt year" to get healthy.

**BcRaven** · 04-04-2012, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Shas
It's so shitty that these guys have their scores published. If I were the union head, I'd make sure that ended. How is that different than medical privacy? Bad enough they get paraded around in their underwear at the combine. It's like the slave trade days (only with millions of dollars going to the slaves?!)

Originally Posted by pslholder96

Absolutely. This should have never been leaked out.

I assume every team gets their scores. How many staff personnel get a look at them?
To think this shouldn't "leak out" is unrealistic. This is not like some top-secret government project. AND to compare it to medical privacy is not a reasonable comparison IMO. Players get embarrassed on and off-the-field all the time... Bc

**Iscull** · 04-04-2012, 10:53 AM

What are everyone's thoughts on Cliff Harris? Would he be worth a pick in the later rounds? Great versatilty with his ability to return punts and kicks. Lots of off the field issues could lead him to being an UDFA. No denying the kid has talent though.

**GOTA** · 04-04-2012, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by bensmotorcyclehelmt

I'd gladly do the same!
What you thinking on him?
I think if there's a run on WRs he'll go in the 2nd-3rd.

I see Streeter as a mid to late 2nd round pick.

**bensmotorcyclehelmt** · 04-04-2012, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

I see Streeter as a mid to late 2nd round pick.

IMO, he's a larger torry smith.
Lots of potential, and knocked for lack of hands or catching the ball with his chest. But great work ethic...supposedly.

**wickedsolo** · 04-04-2012, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by bensmotorcyclehelmt

IMO, he's a larger torry smith.
Lots of potential, and knocked for lack of hands or catching the ball with his chest. But great work ethic...supposedly.

He had a crap QB at Miami too.

He's got the skill set to be a good one though, no doubt.

**srobert96** · 04-04-2012, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Shas

Personally, I like Floyd better than Blackmon. But I don't think Floyd will be there at 22. A lot of people have him to the Jets.

Looks like Floyd may be creeping up into or at least close to the top 10.

**goodandfast** · 04-04-2012, 12:42 PM

In the Ravens pre-draft presser, DeCosta said what many of us have been thinking: that this is a depth draft for the Ravens.

**BigPlayReceiver** · 04-04-2012, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by srobert96

Looks like Floyd may be creeping up into or at least close to the top 10.

I really think Floyd is going to have a monster career if he gets hooked up with a quality QB.
Given a quality QB and offense for each, I'd say Floyd >> Blackmon.

**bmorecareful** · 04-04-2012, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by goodandfast

In the Ravens pre-draft presser, DeCosta said what many of us have been thinking: that this is a depth draft for the Ravens.

He also said the team is looking at OL, WR, and OLB primarily in this draft. No mention of ILB, but depth at S was mentioned. They like Mark Barron and Harrison Smith, but don't sound likely to use an early pick there.

That corresponds w/the perceptions of many of the strengths and weaknesses of this draft class.

**goodandfast** · 04-04-2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

He also said the team is looking at OL, WR, and OLB primarily in this draft. No mention of ILB, but depth at S was mentioned. They like Mark Barron and Harrison Smith, but don't sound likely to use an early pick there.

That corresponds w/the perceptions of many of the strengths and weaknesses of this draft class.

Yeah, not really any surprises. They did say they think Hightower is a great player, but that was it for LBs.

I am thinking more and more that if Barron is there at 29, he's the choice.

I say that because DeCosta specifically said that they expect him to be gone and that Smith is likely a late 1st, early 2nd guy.

**wickedsolo** · 04-04-2012, 01:05 PM

The more and more I think about it, I really believe it's going to be Konz if he's there at 29. I think if he's there at 29 with the Pats, Niners, and Giants picking after them (none of them really need a C/G prospect...maybe San Fran) then Ozzie will look to trade down potentially for a team trying to get back up into round 1 for a DT/DE, RB, WR, or QB.

I'm not ecstatic by the Konz pick, but they could do a whole lot worse and he really is a day-1 starter. The disappointing combine made me think about it a little more, but the tape is there and the tape shows a heck of an interior offensive lineman. He kills 2 birds with 1 stone by being a stop-gap LG this season and then takes over for Birk next.

**BcRaven** · 04-04-2012, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by goodandfast

In the Ravens pre-draft presser, DeCosta said what many of us have been thinking: that this is a depth draft for the Ravens.

Depth draft (?) when we have no LG and our Center and LT are one step from retirement? ... Bc

**bmorecareful** · 04-04-2012, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

The more and more I think about it, I really believe it's going to be Konz if he's there at 29. I think if he's there at 29 with the Pats, Niners, and Giants picking after them (none of them really need a C/G prospect...maybe San Fran) then Ozzie will look to trade down potentially for a team trying to get back up into round 1 for a DT/DE, RB, WR, or QB.

I'm not ecstatic by the Konz pick, but they could do a whole lot worse and he really is a day-1 starter. The disappointing combine made me think about it a little more, but the tape is there and the tape shows a heck of an interior offensive lineman. He kills 2 birds with 1 stone by being a stop-gap LG this season and then takes over for Birk next.

You could be right. I have been skeptical that the Ravens will be able to trade back, but maybe a team falls in love with Devon Still, David Wilson, or somebody like that... I just don't know who that would be. I just think that in this particular draft there's very little drop-off between picks 25-45 or so. I don't see teams really wanting to get up to 29, but teams always do dumb things.

Konz would be a fine pick. Not exciting, not splashy, but a good pick. The thing holding me back from being 100% on him is he just seems too natural. He belongs right around 29, and Ozzie usually grabs guys who fall beyond where they're "supposed" to go. Konz might be a good pick, but he's not a good value.

**goodandfast** · 04-04-2012, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Depth draft (?) when we have no LG and our Center and LT are one step from retirement? ... Bc

The team believes they have a starting o-line on the roster. Any additions to the o-line would be depth selections, given that perspective.

Even if they take an o-lineman early, and he ends up earning a starting spot by the start of the regular season, it is still a depth pick because whomever he takes over for would be considered (by the team) to be good enough to start.

**bmorecareful** · 04-04-2012, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Depth draft (?) when we have no LG and our Center and LT are one step from retirement? ... Bc

No reason to think Birk is that close to retirement. He said many times he feels better his offseason than last offseason, and his level of play was very good outside of 2 bad games to close the season. He might play all 3 years of his deal; who knows? I definitely think the talk of his demise is ridiculously exaggerated.

McKinnie, though, is a different story. I see no reason why he should be given a 2nd contract here in Baltimore and fervently hope somebody else is our LT in 2013, or (if they're good enough) eventually in 2012. But McKinnie is penciled in as the starter, so if we draft somebody to push him, they will likely be a backup on opening day.

**BcRaven** · 04-04-2012, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by goodandfast

The team believes they have a starting o-line on the roster. Any additions to the o-line would be depth selections, given that perspective.

I do not think the team believes that. Are you comfortable with McKinnie/Reid/Birk on the left/center side? I am not... Bc

**wickedsolo** · 04-04-2012, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Depth draft (?) when we have no LG and our Center and LT are one step from retirement? ... Bc

It does kind of make sense when you consider that as of right now the only position that doesn't have an experienced player is LG. Every other position has someone slated who has experience as a starter, if even minimally so.

Outside of LG, they need depth at WR, OT, OG, C, RB, DT/DE, OLB, ILB, FS, & SS.

So, I'm sure they'll be drafting guys who they envision can replace guys like Ed Reed, Matt Birk, Anquan Boldin, Bernard Pollard (potentially), and Ray Lewis.

**goodandfast** · 04-04-2012, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

I do not think the team believes that. Are you comfortable with McKinnie/Reid/Birk on the left/center side? I am not... Bc

Until I see otherwise (in preseason) I'm fine with it, if they are fine with it.

I'm actually pretty excited about Jah Reid, and McKinnie and Birk will be fine for another season.

**wickedsolo** · 04-04-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

You could be right. I have been skeptical that the Ravens will be able to trade back, but maybe a team falls in love with Devon Still, David Wilson, or somebody like that... I just don't know who that would be. I just think that in this particular draft there's very little drop-off between picks 25-45 or so. I don't see teams really wanting to get up to 29, but teams always do dumb things.

Konz would be a fine pick. Not exciting, not splashy, but a good pick. The thing holding me back from being 100% on him is he just seems too natural. He belongs right around 29, and Ozzie usually grabs guys who fall beyond where they're "supposed" to go. Konz might be a good pick, but he's not a good value.

I dont know, I think getting a guy who you can plug in right away and have them start is pretty good value at pick 29...or anywhere for that matter.

I get where you're coming from and believe me, if a guy like Cordy Glenn drops or Courtney Upshaw, I think they'll be all over that, but if not I think Konz is solid (not great) value at pick 29 because he can start right away and he'd be an obvious replacement for Birk, which would allow them draft another guard later in the draft as a developmental guy.